Debbie wanted choice and control over her death should she consider her suffering unbearable. Ultimately she was seeking peace of mind that her wishes would be respected, but also crucially that her decisions would not result in the potential imprisonment of her husband.

She rejected the option of travelling abroad to die, and instead, wanting to die in this country, chose to hasten her death by stopping eating.

Debbie rallied against the hypocrisy of the current law, which turns a blind eye to people travelling abroad to die, whilst seeking to protect them by threatening the imprisonment of their loved ones after their death. For over a decade Debbie was a huge presence at Dignity in Dying; from stuffing envelopes to leading her legal challenge, she was an integral part of the campaign and a friend. We will miss her greatly.

Thanking the staff at the Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford where she died before Christmas, he told the BBC:

We would like to thank the Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford for the care the staff gave her, which allowed her last year to be as peaceful and dignified as she wished.

– Omar Puente

Purdy's legal victory led to new guidelines on assisted suicide being issued by Keir Starmer QC, the then director of public prosecutions, in 2009.

He said the motives of those assisting suicide would be at the centre of the decision over whether they should be prosecuted.

In 2010 she told an inquiry on assisted dying that if she had not won the backing of the Law Lords she would have gone to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to end her own life as her condition was deteriorating.

She had argued that it would be a breach of her human rights if she did not know whether her husband would be prosecuted if he travelled with her to the Swiss clinic.

Nisha Lad and her older sister Trisha were killed in their beds. Credit: Family handout/PA Wire

Police investigating the death of a family-of-four in Bradford say 44-year-old Daksha Lad and her teenage daughters Trisha and Nisha, were all stabbed to death in their beds.

A post mortem examination performed on 49-year-old Jitendra Lad confirmed that he died from compression of the neck caused by hanging.

Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson said: "I have spoken to the family members this evening and updated them on the results of the post mortem examinations.

"They are continuing to come to terms with what took place at Blackberry Way, which has robbed a family of two generations, and specially trained officers are supporting them at this very difficult time."

The University of Leeds confirmed Trisha was in the second year of a biochemistry degree.

A spokesman said: "This is dreadful and shocking news and our thoughts are with Trisha's friends and loved ones.

"Staff are working with the University's counselling and chaplaincy services
to help students who are affected by this tragedy and we will do all we can to support them."

Melissa Taylor, president of the Faculty of Biological Sciences Society at the university, said on Twitter: "Heartbreaking to hear about the death of Trisha Lad, such a lovely, well-liked person. Rest in Peace."

Steph Mapplebeck said: "Trisha Lad was one of the sweetest and kindest people I have met whilst studying at Leeds. What a heartbreaking loss. Rest in peace."